KICKING OFF:

YANNI KOUIROUKIDIS

Contributing Writer

CU MEN’S SOCCER IS RETURNING this year with new challenges to face — this time, it’s the opponent.

The team dealt with three cancellations and five postponements over the course of their season last spring and missed the Atlantic 10 tournament. Team injuries and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the team’s goals.

“Last spring, prior to this fall, we probably had the most good players we’ve ever had and our team was probably the worst we’ve ever had here,” said head coach Dave Giffard.

Last season, the Rams found it hard to establish connections with each other due to the strict COVID-19 restrictions, according to multiple players.

The team also said they didn’t spend enough time together during the season to establish a true connection on or off the pitch. For instance, after an opposing team would score a goal, instead of coming together as a group, the Rams would find themselves arguing and placing the blame on each other.

“It was hard for us to really find that team connection,” said redshirt-sophomore defender Jared Valdes. “I think it was just the isolation during COVID. We’re going to be different this year though, I think we are bringing the right energy.”

What isn’t seen by spectators is what goes on in the players’ lives. Redshirt-junior midfielder Pierre Fiorre Mane said he had a lot of trouble balancing practice and his life outside of the sport.

“Last year was tough for me,” Mane said. “I was working at a place 10 minutes off of campus and it would just be constant school, practice and then work. It was challenging.”

Mane wasn’t the only player who was facing challenges outside the locker room; many on the team were having difficulty adjusting to what was going on in the world, according to Giffard.

“If we had 30 guys on the team last year, 27 of those guys had the worst year they’ve ever had in their life,” Giffard said. “You had a bunch of guys who couldn’t spend any time together, stayed in isolation 24/7, and the only time you really got to interact with other people would be in competition at training.”

Injuries also plagued the Rams during last season’s nine-game schedule — Junior midfielder Célio Pompeu only played in four games last season due to a leg injury. Despite missing more than half the season, Pompeu still led the team in goals last year with three.

Pompeu endured injuries in both of his seasons at VCU. During his freshman year, the Fortaleza, Brazil, native only played in the team’s final three games but led the team in a comeback win over George Mason in the A-10 tournament quarterfinal.

“I mean, he’s the most talented player in the country,” Giffard said.

“If he stays healthy and is able to deal and five seniors, including A-10 first team selections Jerabek and Kershner, return with advice and leadership for the underclassmen.

“There’s no replacement for that level of experience,” coach Lindsey Martin said. “It makes our job easier as a coaching staff because the expectation is there and they know what it is.”

Martin says that sophomore transfer defender Natalia Santangelo, freshman midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa, freshman defender Greta Kraszula and freshman midfielder Isidora Gajdobranski are key newcomers to the team.

“There wasn’t a particular need for an impact player, it was more that we needed depth,” Martin said of the freshmen. “They’re all doing some really good things.”

The Rams have competed twice in the A-10 championship during the nine years they have been competing in the conference, but have never been able to snatch the title.

“There’s always pressure, but it’s not something that we feel unsuccessful without,” Martin said. “We know we have the ability to reach those goals, and it’s more about us attaining a standard we know we’re capable of.”

However, with 10 out of the 11 starters returning from last season, Young says there is pressure to bring home the title.

“With the talent and the skill and this team right now, there’s a lot of internal pressure to actually do really well and win it.”

SOCCER SCHEDULE WOMEN’S SOCCER

AUG 19

AUG 22

AUG 26

AUG 29

SEPT 2

SEPT 5

SEPT 9

SEPT 19

SEPT 23

SEPT 26

SEPT 30

OCT 3

OCT 10

OCT 14

OCT 17

OCT 21

OCT 24

VS. JMU WIN 1-0

AT UNCW WIN 2-0

VS. WAKE FOREST @ 7 p.m.

AT LIBERTY @ 1 p.m.

AT ODU @ 7 p.m.

AT EAST CAROLINA @ 1 p.m.

AT WILLIAM & MARY @ 7 p.m

VS. GEORGE WASHINGTON @ 2 p.m.

AT ST. BONAVENTURE @ 7 p.m.

AT GEORGE MASON @ 1 p.m

VS. NO. 21

SAINT LOUIS @ 7 p.m

AT UMASS @ 1 p.m

VS. DAYTON @ 1 p.m.

VS. FORDHAM @ 7 p.m.

AT LA SALLE

MEN’S SOCCER

AUG 26

AUG 29

SEPT 4

SEPT 10

SEPT 14

SEPT 18 with some of the pressures, then I think he’ll be very successful.”

Pompeu, like many others on the roster, is looking to bounce back from the previous year. However, it won’t come with ease as the Rams are scheduled to play 12 opponents that are either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason poll this season, including three top 20 teams in the first four games.

The black and gold will open the season on the road against No. 7 Wake Forest on Thursday before traveling to No. 4 North Carolina on Sunday.

VCU will also face No. 18 Charlotte on Sept. 10, No. 23 Fordham on Oct. 23 and No. 2 Indiana on Oct. 27.

“It’s just another game,” Giffard said. “Obviously you get a little more excited when you play against the other top teams. The season’s a journey and what you can do is learn about your team.”

Men’s soccer will begin the season at Wake Forest on Thursday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra.

SEPT 21

SEPT 25

SEPT 28

OCT 2

OCT 6

OCT 9

OCT 16

OCT 19

OCT 23

OCT 27

OCT 30

AT VIRGINIA @ 7 p.m.

AT LA SALLE @ 7 p.m.

VS. DUQUESNE @ 7 p.m

VS. SAINT LOUIS @ 7 p.m.

AT GEORGE MASON @ 7 p.m.

VS. UNCW @ 7 p.m.

VS. NO. 23

FORDHAM @ 7 p.m.

AT NO. 2

INDIANA @ 7 p.m.

AT UMASS @ 1 p.m.

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On this day

In 1916, the National Park Service was created by Congress.